Guided by Sister Thea Bowman’s passion for Catholic education as a pathway out of poverty, the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation is a national Catholic organization dedicated to providing access to partnering Catholic institutions of higher education for underserved African American students with a commitment to developing the human person.
Program Pillars
1.Sister Thea Bowman Academic Success Scholarships
Serving as a non-profit, it is the mission and purpose of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation to provide economic support to students, establishing means by which to rekindle and enliven the hope and the opportunities that Catholic colleges and universities can offer to Black young adults. By supportined our Scholars who are filled with hopes and ambitions for an exciting and productive future, the Foundation continues to manifest the legacy of Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA. These opportunities are strategically provided to those in marginalized communities most in need of such opportunities, as reflected by the criteria of the scholarship.
2. Sister Thea Bowman Communities-In-Schools Mentorship Program.
The Foundation ensure communities are created at our partnership universities where our Scholars are emotionally supported and mentored by not only by the Foundations leadership, but the universities with which we partner. Many of our Scholars come from different cultural and economic backgrounds who contribute to the richness of their campuses. . Ensuring emotional well-being is paramount for our Scholars to know they are accepted, loved, and cared for. This is accomplished in several ways including in-person monthly and quarterly meetings and status checks, as well as working with the university staff on matters such as financial and emotional support for our scholars. The Foundation does more than provide scholarships, it provides Scholars a comprehensive support network to ensure they have the support and confidence to earn a college degree.
3. Sister Thea Bowman Foundation Spiritual Enrichment Workshops / Intellectual Development Camps
Spiritual enrichment is central to the personal and academic journey for all Scholars. This includes the Catholic intellectual tradition, understanding of Catholic Social Teachings, and how each are called to serve those most in need. This is achieved through summer programs, poetry sessions, and field trips to bring awareness to all aspects of who we are and how we are called to serve. These camps and workshops also provide opportunities for Scholars to travel to other parts of the country – places they may not have visited – to experience new surroundings as they gather with other Scholars. . These opportunities broaden Scholars’ horizons and inform their discernment process as they make decisions about where they were serve, live and work once they have earned a college degree.